Former world No. 1 Feng Shanshan is aiming for a gold medal at next year's Tokyo Olympic Games, the 31-year old Chinese top woman golfer said in an interview with Xinhua on Thursday.

Feng won a bronze medal at Rio in 2016, which was already a significant breakthrough in the eyes of many people, but Feng said it was far from enough.

"The Bronze medal was a breakthrough for Chinese golf, but China has won so many gold medals in other sports, so I think Chinese golf needs a gold medal," she said.

Feng said every Chinese golfer that qualified for the Tokyo olympics will target a gold medal. For her, the biggest advantage will be a relaxed attitude.

"I had already won a medal in Rio, so I am not going to be under pressure in Tokyo."

The Chinese golfer won her tenth LGPA title last July, but has not competed any major events this year due to the coronavirus outbreak. Feng said she had no plan to play in any tournament until next year.

Returning to China from the USA this July, Feng had to do a two-week quarantine at home, which was an enjoyable time for her.

"I enjoyed that two weeks because I never had a such relaxed time since I began to learn golf."

"For so many years, I had been accustomed to setting an alarm clock every day and spending a day according to the schedule."

"What I can do this year is to keep a good mood. I will try to adjust myself to reach a peak state during the Olympics next year," she added.

During the quarantine time, a sponsor delivered Feng a golf simulator, which allowed her to practice at home everyday. At the same time she began to have a idea to open a golf club in the city center.

After only a month of preparation, the Feng Shanshan golf club opened to public. The club is in an indoor space with a dozen of simulators. It is located in Haizhu district, just 15-minute drive from Guangzhou's Central Business District.

"We often encounter bad weather conditions and for many children it is not convenient to play far away from home or school, so I believe the indoor club will be a good solution."

To open a club is a milestone for Feng and its significance may be no less than a trophy. As a golfer born and raised in Guangzhou, Feng has always hoped to be an ambassador for golf in her hometown.

In the eyes of many, golf is a sport that has been labeled as 'expensive'. But Feng insisted golf was a sport for all, and she said herself was an example.

"My own family is a very ordinary one and the route I became the world No. 1 woman golfer is not as expensive as imagined. It only costs no more than ten dollars to play an hour in the driving range."

Opening a club in the urban area, Feng hoped more and more young people in China will have the opportunity to know and start to play golf.

"I have seen more and more young parents bring their children to play golf, which makes me believe golf will have a bright future in China," she said. 

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